Craig Custance

  (3:58 PM)

Hey everyone. Going to dive in early because the questions are already piling up. I'll let you guess which player is generating the most interest. But here we go!

Eli (LA) [via mobile]

Hi Craig, I was wondering with Nash's NMC do you think he would be open to going to the Kings?

Craig Custance

  (4:01 PM)

Nash has complete control of this situation so I'm guessing his list of acceptable destinations won't be too long. But there's a lot to like about LA if you're Rick Nash. With him, they become a legit Cup contender and they will be for a long time. He knows Mike Richards and Drew Doughty well on their time together w/TEam Canada and would be part of an incredibly talented core group for a long time. Kings are interested and it makes a lot of sense to me.

Bill ((NYC))

Will the rangers get Nash? If not who is a good fit? And do you think prust is under rated

Craig Custance

  (4:03 PM)

Just put together an Insider piece on five favorites to get Nash and New York is on there. Two concerns though if you're a Rangers fan. One is salary cap. Adding his number to the cap would really tighten things up in NY. And two is chemistry. I don't think the Rangers necessarily need to make this dramatic of a move and if it's going to cost you multiple young NHL roster players, why dismantle a winning roster?

Devin (Pittsburgh)

With the situation in Washington starting from a slow downward slide last year into the current collapse this season, it seems to me that a dramatic change must be made. The team needs a jolt to be woken up from the prima-dona mindset. Would it be worth it at this point to deal an under acheiving Ovi or Semin to bring in several young blue-chips to rebuild?

Craig Custance

  (4:05 PM)

No need to rebuild in Washington. This is still a young team, it just needs a bit of direction. That said, I'd deal Semin in a heartbeat if I could get anything of significance for him. I just don't think you're going to land the bluechip prospects fans might want to see.

Brad (Brantford)

Hypothetically speaking, what would teams have to give up for Rick Nash? Would the Leafs be able to get him (assuming he is on the block and would got there) for Kadri, Schenn, Kulemin and a pick?

Craig Custance

  (4:08 PM)

I know the Leafs will at least inquire to see what the cost is going to be, if they haven't already. But yeah, it's going to be significant. The words one GM used today when I asked him about the Nash pricetag was "You have to blow [Scott Howson] out of the water." Those players you mentioned would certainly be in the mix. We're talking multiple, young NHL players.

Kevin (Philadelphia)

Craig, What do you expect the Flyers to do to resolve the issues on their blueline? Are they going to overpay for a rental or do you expect them to stand pat and take a run at Suter/Weber in the offseason?

Craig Custance

  (4:10 PM)

Paul Holmgren didn't seem too optimistic this weekend about the rental market on defense. But there's still time for more sellers to emerge. Lots of teams looking to add depth on defense. The most likely scenario would be for them to add a depth guy like Bryan Allen or maybe even a Hal Gill and then look at Suter/Weber this summer.

Jesse S. (Carmel, NY)

If the Nash-to-NY rumor has any legs, who do you think NY would be sending the other way? If you were Howson moving a superstar signed for long-term you would have to ask for a young roster player (likely Dubinsky bc NY would have to clear his cap space), top prospects Chris Kreider and/or J.T. Miller, and at least one first round pick....right?

Craig Custance

  (4:12 PM)

Yes. At a minimum. Best case scenario for Columbus is if Howson can get a couple of teams like LA and NY into a bidding war. That's why the better move may be to wait until the draft where there might be more teams willing to get involved than there are right now.

Jesse S. (Carmel, NY)

Craig, on Saturday you tweeted that 3 Columbus scouts (including their GM) were at the Rangers-Flyers game. Since then the Rangers have had their scouts at the Jackets-Wild game. Obviously now the Nash-to-NY storyline has blown up, but do you think Columbus is also considering smaller deals for any other players with those teams? Is there anybody else on Columbus that those teams would even want? We know Carter is not going back to Philly, Carter to NY? Or Umberger back to Philly or NY? Or Antoine Vermette somewhere? Or was this all about only Nash?

Craig Custance

  (4:15 PM)

Jesse - I honestly try not to draw any conclusions about scouts at a game, although it was interesting to see an opposing GM without a dog in the hunt. I remember one game I attended had a bunch of scouts and when I went and chatted with them it had more to do with the schedule and lack of options in the region that night than the two teams on the ice. But three from one team and the GM is noteworthy. Especially now that we know Nash is in play.

Todd (CT)

Do the Devils have enough to make a serious run into the Eastern Conference?

Craig Custance

  (4:16 PM)

Todd - I wish I liked their blueline better and I don't think LL will be one of the more active GMs at the deadline. I really enjoy what's developed between Kovalchuk and Parise but I'd be surprised if that group made a long playoff run.

Zach (Chicago (via Michigan))

Does Ken Holland stand pat or make a move at the deadline? Is Selanne on his radar?

David (Hockeytown)

Do you see any moves by the Wings in the next 2 weeks? Rumors of Gaustad, Moen, etc. I would love to get Nash but I doubt the BJs would trade within the division.

Craig Custance

  (4:21 PM)

Lots of questions about the Red Wings. Here's what I know: They are not on the market for a goalie. It's going to be Jimmy Howard or bust for the Red Wings. They're not in the Rick Nash sweepstakes. They would like to add some veteran depth either at forward or on defense, maybe ease some of the pressure on Kindl during the postseason. They have cap space but I'm not expecting anything crazy from Ken Holland at the deadline. Think veterans.

Marc (Malden, MA)

Would you rather have Nash or Parise? I say Parise.

Craig Custance

  (4:22 PM)

Such a tough call. I've seen Nash absolutely dominate games. But I think as an American, I'm required to say Parise.

shawn [via mobile]

What about a jordan staal and paul martin trade for nash??

Craig Custance

  (4:23 PM)

Haven't heard the Penguins connected at all to Rick Nash. I don't think Ray Shero is too motivated to trade any of his three centers. That's the backbone of that team.

al (denver)

do you think the blues have reached cup-contender status yet? my feeling is that they are still a notch below vancouver and detroit in the west.

Craig Custance

  (4:25 PM)

Al - I'm not ready to put them at Cup contender status yet only because I haven't seen what this group can do in the playoffs. Injuries up front concern me a bit and I don't think Doug Armstrong has a lot of extra money in the budget to add up front. I would put them below Vancouver and Detroit but in the same group as Chicago, Nashville and Los Angeles. The Sharks are somewhere in there too.

Marc (Malden, MA)

Would NJ still trade Parise even though they're in the playoffs (as of now)?

Craig Custance

  (4:26 PM)

No. New Jersey won't be trading Parise before deadline. Although I would have told you a week ago that Columbus wouldn't be trading Nash.

James (Calgary)

Do the Canucks have a chance at Nash? Schneider and Hodgson would be a start, but what else would they have to add to tempt Columbus?

Craig Custance

  (4:27 PM)

I spoke with someone today who felt like Vancouver probably wouldn't be willing to dismantle too much of their team to add Nash right now, although they'd be more than happy to get in the mix this summer. Schneider is an interesting piece though. Columbus NEEDS a goalie and he's the best available.

shawn [via mobile]

The 3 centers is the backbone, but with motivated and dominatin malkin, and the possible return of a guy named crosby, doesn't that make staal an overpayed 3rd line center?

Craig Custance

  (4:28 PM)

yeah but we saw how it works when they're all healthy. The Penguins don't win a Stanley Cup without that overpaid third line center. He's such an important player on a contender, can help shut down opposing team's top lines. I wouldn't move him.

Keith (NYC)

With Gaborik and Callahan nos. 1 and 2 on the depth chart at RW, where does Nash play on the Rangers? Would Carter be a better fit at center?

Craig Custance

  (4:31 PM)

I almost prefer Carter on the wing. I'm not a huge Carter fan though. I'm just not. If I'm the Rangers I'm staying away. Don't mess with that chemistry in new York. It's working well.

Dan (St. Louie)

hey al from Denver, how are the blues still be a notch down when they would have the best record in the NHL after winning thier 2 games in hand? hmmmmmmm

Craig Custance

  (4:31 PM)

Blues on a heck of a run, that's for sure.

Paul H. (Philadelphia)

JVR, Couturier and a 1st round pick for Nash...deal or no deal?

Craig Custance

  (4:33 PM)

No deal. JVR concussion scares me and that first-round pick is most likely going to be at the bottom of the first round. Plus, it'd be a bitter pill to have to trade for Couturier considering that's the pick CBJ sent to Philly for Carter.

Ice Ace (Alabama)

Do you think the Wild will reverse their current slide and make the playoffs?

Craig Custance

  (4:34 PM)

Nope. I'll go on record as saying the eight teams we see in the playoff positions right now in the West will be the eight that make the playoffs.

Paul (Boston)

Your thoughts on the Boychuck extension, going rate for him or did they overpay a little?

Craig Custance

  (4:36 PM)

I think you reward your guys and the Bruins have a ton of cap space for an elite team. I know that number seems high but he was a UFA and d-men don't come cheap on the open market. No problem with that deal at all for Peter Chiarelli.

Ben (San Jose)

Hi Craig, since firing the Q-stache seems unlikely, will Bowman make a trade to stir the pot?

Craig Custance

  (4:37 PM)

He'd love to. That team needs help on defense and it's getting to the point where STan might have to consider overpaying to make it happen. I think Nicklas Grossman would be a fantastic fit in Chicago.

Keith-Nashville [via mobile]

What moves do you see the Preds making before the deadline. All of a sudden it's seems like we have a blue line problem and not a scoring problem. I am also worried that if ownership doesn't step up and bolster the lineup we will lose both Suter and Weber.

Craig Custance

  (4:40 PM)

Nashville will certainly kick the tires on Rick Nash, although there's question as to whether or not he'd accept a trade there. They're looking for forward help and I think they'll be aggressive in trying to land a forward in the trade market for exactly the reason you provide Keith. They need to bolster the lineup to prove to Suter and Weber that this franchise is serious about winning. Lots of pressure on David Poile this year at the deadline.

Nicklas Lidstrom (Hockeytown)

So, I'm having a better year defensively and equal-to-better year offensively compared to last year. Will I end up winning my 8th Norris and retiring into the sunset (btw, they're not mutually exclusive options sadly)? Will going for a milestone 8th Norris sway votes for or against me?

Craig Custance

  (4:40 PM)

Nicklas - I think you're coming back next year. I also have you in my top three right now for the Norris along with Shea Weber and Zdeno Chara.

shawn [via mobile]

Are the penguins a serious contender with sid? And does his return make them the handson favorite?

Craig Custance

  (4:42 PM)

I think Crosby returns this season and if they're healthy, they become my favorite to win the Eastern Conference.

Manny (Houston)

Craig, I don't agree the Sharks and Blues belong in the same category, Sharks can't even score against the Blues

Craig Custance

  (4:42 PM)

The Sharks were my preseason Stanley Cup picks. I'm sticking with them. I can see Doug Wilson making a move here in the next couple weeks.

Nate (Pittsburgh)

harrington, tangradi, lovejoy, first round and second round pick for nash.... deal or no deal?

Craig Custance

  (4:43 PM)

No deal. No way.

Bryz (Philly)

Should I stop talking about how bad I am to the media and play like a goalie making $100 mil? Or are people still not tired of hearing me talk non-sense to the camera?

Craig Custance

  (4:44 PM)

Bryz is one of my favorite interview subjects of all time. I hope he never stops talking. Ever.

Michael (Cincinnati)

Perhaps it's time to look at the GM in Washington. Coaching changes haven't exactly worked for George. He's the mastermind behind the roster.

Craig Custance

  (4:45 PM)

You know what Michael? I have a ton of respect for George McPhee but I think that's a fair point if that team misses the playoffs. If the underachieving continues, at some point the accountability will come.

shawn [via mobile]

Geno malkins play these past few weeks has been nothing short of dominate. Is he the hart trophy winner, and is it even close?

Craig Custance

  (4:46 PM)

He's starting to run away with it, that's for sure. With Detroit's incredible run at home, I think Pavel Datsyuk deserves to be in the conversation. Henrik Sedin too.

Manny (Houston)

Chris Stewart for Alex Semin? Bad for both teams? Good for both teams?

Craig Custance

  (4:47 PM)

Hmmm. I wouldn't do that if I were St. Louis. Stewart is restricted after this season and Semin is unrestricted. Plus, I'm not sure SEmin and Hitchcock would be a great fit together. If I'm the Capitals, I'd do it immediately.

Anthony (NYC)

Wouldn't a guy like Shane Doan or Ryan Smyth be a good fit for the Rangers?

Craig Custance

  (4:48 PM)

Yes on both accounts. Doan won't be moved if Phoenix is in a playoff position. I haven't ruled out Smyth to New York at all. Boston likes him too.

Nikki (College Station, TX)

Interesting debate with regards to Sharks vs Blue, but it's hard to evaluate when refs get too involved....Sharks can't score on Blues, but Blues need 5 on 3s against Sharks to even have a chance of scoring on them and winning games, it seems. Perhaps final game between the two teams will be more telling?

John (St. Louis)

Ken Hitchcock favorite for COY at this point?

Craig Custance

  (4:49 PM)

Good points. And yes on Hitch. But I don't think Kevin Dineen is getting enough credit for what's happening in Florida.

B-Diddy (Munstoeville, WYO)

Statsny, Elliott and Varlamov to the BUS for Nash. Si o no?

Craig Custance

  (4:50 PM)

Nope. Plus, I'd be surprised if Colorado is on Nash's short list. Don't forget, he has a NTC.

bill (philly)

my buddy just told me Nash just got traded to LA for Penner, Bernier, Hunter and a pick....truth?

Craig Custance

  (4:52 PM)

I've been in chat mode for the last 50 minutes so if it happened it must have JUST happened. But that doesn't sound like nearly enough for Nash. I'd be stunned. I do like the Kings as front-runners to land Nash though.

Tom (Chicago)

If the Blue Jackets trade Nash, how disastrous is that going to be for that franchise? He's the only star on a terribly run organization. Is Columbus setting up to be another Phoenix? Should they just contract both teams and get it over with (yes, I know that will never happen)?

Craig Custance

  (4:55 PM)

There's committed ownership in Columbus, that's the big difference. It's sad actually, because the Blue Jackets are paying a lot of money for a team that's not particularly good.

antonio (lyndhurst,nj)

I think your right Craig,im a HUGE ranger fan and Nash is a game changer..BUT, this is such a tightly knit ranger group,that a trade of this magnitude will not go well in the locker room..This time legitimately all like each other..i dont want that to change..Do u think chemistry plays that big of a part or am i over reacting?

Craig Custance

  (4:56 PM)

Chemistry should play a part. Personally, I wouldn't mess with it. I think we're on the same page Antonio.

Cappy (NYC)

has mcdonald played well enough that conkblock will be waiver fodder when howard returns?

Craig Custance

  (4:56 PM)

It's possible. I asked Ken Holland and he said he has a pretty good idea of what he's going to do when Howard returns, he just wasn't sharing it with me.

Neil (Edmonton)

I'm a huge Sharks fan. I've watched them the past several years have fantastic regular seasons followed by disappointing playoff results. What do they need to add this deadline to be considered cup favorites? Right now I see them a notch below Detroit, Vancouver, Boston and NY Rangers.

Craig Custance

  (4:58 PM)

Agree Neil. I'd like to see them add a top six forward. To me, Teemu Selanne would be an incredible fit if he was willing to do it. Don't count Doug Wilson out of the Rick Nash talks either, he's always involved in trades like this.

Ryan (Pittsburgh)

martin, kennedy, harrington, tangradi and first round pick for nash

Craig Custance

  (4:59 PM)

Nope. Keep tryin'.

Ray Shero (Pittsburgh, PA)

Hey Rangers fans concerned about disrupting your team chemistry to acquire Rick Nash...in 2008 I agonized over the same decision with Marian Hossa...including putting wildly popular glue guy and Crosby's best friend Colby Armstrong in the deal. I did it....and guess what...Hossa scored 12 playoff goals and we want to the Finals. Granted he left at the end of the season, but you wouldn't even have to worry about that because Nash is signed long term.

Craig Custance

  (5:00 PM)

Very good point. Hossa is one of the few deadline deals that had a serious impact on a playoff run. Thanks, Ray.

Craig Custance

  (5:00 PM)

Alright everyone, have to head down to Joe Louis Arena to see if the Red Wings can make history. If I missed your question, please click the mailbag link at the top and I'll get it in Friday's mailbag. Thanks everyone for stopping by, it's been fun!